Economic and Political Determinants of Energy: Insights into Contemporary Challenges from a Special Issue Perspective

Economic and social development depends on a wide range of interrelated factors that influence both the pace of economic growth and the standard of living of society. This process is complex and characterized by a long-term perspective. Four main groups of factors are considered to be the most important determinants of development: economic, social, institutional, and those related to the international environment.

Economists widely recognize the stimulating role of capital, infrastructure, technology, economic innovativeness, and the efficiency of resource utilization in economic development. These factors directly determine the capacity to compete in domestic and international markets, thereby shaping development opportunities. Among social factors, the quality of human and social capital, as well as demographic conditions, is considered to be of crucial importance. As the level of development increases, institutional factors become increasingly significant for conducting economic activity, including political stability, the effectiveness of public administration, and the transparency of the legal system. Efficiently functioning institutions enhance economic security and foster long-term economic development.

Economic and social development is also significantly influenced by factors related to the international environment [1,2]. Under conditions of increasing interdependence and cooperative linkages, national economies are becoming increasingly interconnected, and their development is shaped by processes taking place in the global economy. Integration into the global economy contributes to improving resource utilization efficiency, enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises, and facilitating the diffusion of innovations. On the other hand, open economies are more vulnerable to the effects of global tensions and disruptions in international supply chains. Consequently, as currently observed, changes in the international environment may both stimulate and constrain the pace of economic development.

From the perspective of the presented research framework, the issue of energy and its role in the functioning and development of the contemporary economy is of particular importance [3]. Energy constitutes one of the fundamental factors determining the functioning and development of the economy, as it is an essential component of production processes, transportation systems, and household activities. The availability of energy, its price level, and the stability of supply have a direct impact on the pace of economic growth, the standard of living of society, and the competitiveness of the economy. Ensuring stable and secure energy supplies represents one of the key components of a country’s economic security. At the same time, excessive dependence on imported energy resources increases the vulnerability of an economy to external shocks, including fluctuations in global energy markets, economic crises, and geopolitical tensions and conflicts. Therefore, issues related to the diversification of energy sources, energy efficiency, and the transformation of energy systems have become important elements of long-term economic development policies.

Energy also plays an important social role, as it determines the level and quality of life of society [4]. Access to stable and affordable energy sources affects the ability of households to meet basic needs, ensures the functioning of social infrastructure, and contributes to reducing socio-economic inequalities. Limited access to energy, referred to as energy poverty, represents one of the significant contemporary socio-economic challenges.

The aforementioned issues are explored in the Special Issue entitled “Economic and Political Determinants of Energy—Contemporary Challenges”. The present review provides an overview of the latest research findings on the economic dimensions of contemporary energy challenges, based on the contributions submitted to this Special Issue.

Given the wide range of contemporary energy challenges, the articles included in the Special Issue focus on selected dimensions of this multifaceted issue, with particular emphasis on those that are crucial for the functioning of the modern economy and contemporary society.

An extremely important issue of energy security in the context of the functioning of energy systems [5] is addressed in Contribution 1. The authors review the strategies adopted by local government units (LGUs) in Poland in response to the energy crisis of 2022–2023. The crisis, whose main causes can be attributed to geopolitical tensions, resulted in rising energy commodity prices and increased instability of energy supplies, creating significant challenges for local authorities. The study, based on a case study approach and the results of a nationwide survey conducted among local government units, revealed that the most frequently undertaken adaptation measures included investments in renewable energy sources and the modernization of local energy infrastructure. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of local authorities in shaping energy policy and highlight the importance of adaptive measures under conditions of external instability.

Contribution 5 examines the relationship between energy efficiency and the environmental dimension of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a sample of multinational enterprises [6]. The study assesses the role of energy efficiency measures and environmental cost management as instruments for achieving environmental goals, with particular emphasis on the extent to which energy efficiency is embedded as a strategic priority within CSR policies and practices of the analyzed firms.

The most frequently addressed topic in the Special Issue concerns environmental issues related to the energy sector [7,8], which are discussed in eight contributions. Contributions 2 and 9 focus on corporate pro-environmental activities in the context of the energy transition. Contribution 2 examines the pressure exerted on enterprises to adapt their products and services to new market requirements driven by increasing environmental awareness among consumers. The authors analyze the role of eco-innovations as a response to growing demand for products characterized by lower energy consumption and a reduced carbon footprint. Particular attention is paid to the scale of environmental and economic benefits resulting from the implementation of innovative solutions, including reduced consumption of raw materials and energy, improved recycling processes, and extended product life cycles. Contribution 9 addresses theoretical issues related to the relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation, based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The results challenge this traditional model, suggesting that it may not be universally applicable across European countries. In the short term, Western European countries exhibit a pattern consistent with the Environmental Kuznets Curve. In contrast, Eastern European and Balkan countries display a different relationship, characterized by an initial decline in emissions followed by an increase as economic development progresses. These findings suggest the limited effectiveness of a unified environmental policy framework in Europe.

Contribution 3 examines issues related to the development of the energy sector in the context of socio-economic cohesion. The authors emphasize that sustainable development of the energy sector is based on three pillars: economic, social, and environmental. The study develops indicators of sustainable development and socio-economic cohesion. In Contribution 4, the authors adopt a global perspective to analyze the economic determinants of energy consumption from renewable sources. The study, conducted for groups of countries with similar characteristics in terms of economic and social development levels, identifies the factors that most strongly influence renewable energy consumption [9,10]. These factors vary significantly depending on the development level of the economies under analysis. The findings enable the formulation of recommendations for energy policy at the global scale.

Three additional articles devoted to renewable energy sources (RES) [11], representing different categories according to their origin, were also submitted to the Special Issue. Contributions 6 and 7 focus on issues related to the production and utilization of biogas, which is a renewable energy source of biological origin [12,13]. Contribution 8, in turn, presents theoretical considerations on the local utilization of geothermal energy [14]. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that harnesses natural heat stored within the Earth, particularly in geothermal waters and rocks located beneath the Earth’s surface. The authors propose a model that treats geothermal resources as an endogenous factor of local development, highlighting their potential role in shaping local energy systems and supporting sustainable development at the local level.

The Special Issue concludes with four articles addressing a broad range of topics related to energy policy formulation [15,16] and the development of infrastructure supporting the functioning of energy systems [17]. Contribution 10 presents an analysis of the political and economic factors shaping contemporary energy policy, considering current challenges faced in its design and implementation. In order to assess the level of social acceptance of energy policy, the study employs a hybrid energy policy acceptance model, which helps to address existing research gaps by integrating economic and political determinants with behavioral theory frameworks. The results indicate the need to adjust energy policy assumptions and plans to changing political and economic realities. The authors of Contribution 13 conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of selected countries’ energy strategies, highlighting differences in approaches to energy transition and energy system management. The article also identifies potential challenges associated with the implementation of the adopted strategies and provides recommendations for future directions of energy policy development.

The final two articles address contemporary issues related to the functioning of digital energy infrastructure [18] and the use of information and communication technologies [19] in energy system management. Contribution 11 focuses on the issue of qualitative growth through the pursuit of a balance between energy consumption and economic development, supported by digital infrastructure. The study analyses the potential for fostering a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly society while simultaneously supporting economic growth. It also presents an assessment of the impact of modern digital infrastructure development on urban energy consumption. The formulated recommendations for harmonizing energy demand with urban development include, among others, accelerating the development of digital infrastructure, adapting industrial structures to local conditions, and promoting eco-innovation. Contribution 13 presents the results of a literature review on optimization algorithms used in intelligent load scheduling in Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS). The growing importance of intelligent load scheduling stems from the increasing complexity of these systems, rising electricity demand, the implementation of dynamic pricing mechanisms, and the integration of renewable energy sources. The article indicates that the most promising direction for the development of HEMS is hybrid architectures combining forecasting, optimization, and control mechanisms, enabling more efficient energy consumption management.

The articles published in the Special Issue “Economic and Political Determinants of Energy—Contemporary Challenges” address a broad range of topics concerning the economic determinants of energy production and consumption. The contributions presented introduce readers to the latest advances and research findings across various thematic areas related to the functioning of contemporary energy systems.

Readers of this Special Issue of the journal “Energies” may find analyses and discussions on, inter alia, in the following:

• The security of energy system functioning;
• The role of energy in economic growth and development processes;
• Selected aspects of the energy transition;
• Factors determining demand for energy from renewable sources;
• Issues related to the generation of energy from renewable sources;
• Determinants shaping energy policy;
• The latest technological and organizational solutions supporting the functioning of energy infrastructure.

The articles collected in this Special Issue enable a deeper understanding of the analyzed problems, highlighting both their economic and political determinants as well as potential directions for the development of contemporary energy systems.